The Perfect 2 Days in Coimbra Itinerary
Are you planning a trip to Portugal and want to know how to spend 2 days in Coimbra? I’ve got you covered!
I traveled extensively around Portugal, and when I visited Coimbra, I was amazed at how many people skipped this underrated city!
Coimbra is located right between Lisbon and Porto, making it a perfect stop on your Portugal itinerary. However, many people only take a day trip to Coimbra from Lisbon or Porto, missing out on so many hidden gems in this hilltop city.
With two days in Coimbra, you’ll get to explore the cobblestone streets of the historic center, discover the University that inspired the Harry Potter books, and squeeze in a fun day trip in the region.
If you’re ready to plan your Coimbra itinerary, let’s jump right in!
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DAY 1 Coimbra Itinerary
You’ll spend your first day in Coimbra exploring the charming cobblestone streets of this medieval city.
If you only have one day in Coimbra, this day 1 itinerary covers all the main highlights in Coimbra.
One of the best things about spending a night in Coimbra is that you’ll have the city all to yourself in the morning and evening, as most people visit Coimbra on a day trip.
Enter the historic center through the Barbican Gate
Start your day in Coimbra exploring the historic center. Turn right on the main walking street of Baixa and enter the historic center through the Barbican Gate.
As you pass through this arcade, you’ll enter the medieval Coimbra, starting with the gate and tower of Almedina.
This medieval stone tower was part of the city’s defense system, dating back to the 11th century.
See the Old Cathedral, Sé Velha
Make your way uphill to Coimbra’s Old Cathedral, the only one of the Portuguese Romanesque cathedrals from the Reconquista times that survived relatively intact to this day.
The Cathedral was built in the 12th century when the king picked Coimbra as the country’s capital. Maybe that’s why it looks more like a castle than a church!
Make sure to enter the Cathedral to see Azulejo tiles and visit the picturesque cloister and the arcades.
You’ll have to pay an entrance fee of about 2.5€, but it is worth it if you want to learn more about the history of Coimbra.
When I visited, they were renovating the square in front of the Cathedral, so I couldn’t enjoy it in its full glory. But luckily for you, now it looks pristine!
See the New Cathedral, Sé Nova
As you continue the walk uphill, you’ll reach Coimbra’s New Cathedral.
This impressive church was built in the 17th century and chosen as the new Cathedral in the 18th century to replace the much smaller Old Cathedral.
Visit Coimbra University
Coimbra University is one of the oldest Universities in Europe. The University is a must-see in Coimbra and a UNESCO heritage site.
It is the oldest and most prestigious university in Portugal, with many unique traditions, including uniforms with black capes with colored ribbons representing each sector of studies.
If this sounds familiar, you’ve probably heard of Harry Potter and Hogwarts. Apparently, Coimbra University was the inspiration behind the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
Explore Biblioteca Joanina
Contrary to popular belief, you’re not allowed to roam the hallways and enter lecture rooms if you’re not a student.
So, make your way to the University Square – Paço das Escolas to admire this historic square and visit Joanina Library.
To visit the Joanina Library you have to buy a ticket beforehand. I suggest you do it online to be sure they have a time slot available. You’re only allowed to enter at your designated time slot, and you have about 20min to explore the library.
📖Want to learn more about Coimbra University?
Join this tour with a guide who studied there!
Enjoy a view over the city
The University Square is at one of the highest points in the city, so you get to enjoy a beautiful view!
The best viewpoints in Coimbra to add to your itinerary are:
- Coimbra University Tower
- The University Square
- Miradouro do Penedo da Saudade
- Terrace in front of the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova
Discover Coimbra’s Botanical Gardens
After exploring the University, you’ll start making your way back downtown.
Coimbra University’s botanical garden is free to visit, and the best way to descend while enjoying the lush greenery along the path.
The park is a peaceful oasis in the heart of Coimbra, with picturesque fountains and historical relics to discover.
Park Manuel Braga
As you reach the end of the Botanical Gardens path, you’ll get to the Park Manuel Braga with its picturesque tree-lined path along the river.
It is especially pretty in the autumn when the leaves change color.
Cross the Ponte de Santa Clara bridge for the best view of Old Town
The bridge over the Mondego River is far from the most beautiful bridge in Portugal, but it is the most Instagramable spot in Coimbra.
If you want to take a classic photo of Coimbra’s old city, head to the Santa Clara Bridge. The bridge is lined with Coimbra flags, and the view is amazing!
Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha
As you cross the river, head to the Monastery of Santa Clara-a Velha. Or better say, what is left of the monastery, as it is mostly just ruins nowadays.
This Gothic Monastery was built in the 12th century, but it was abandoned in the 17th century due to frequent floodings.
Today, you can visit the Monastery and the Museum where you will watch a short movie to learn more about the monastery and the life of the nuns in the Middle Ages.
The ruins site is interesting to walk around and admire the architecture, with lots of original elements almost intact to this day!
Take a break at Pet&Tea Cat Cafe
You might notice there are many cats in Coimbra, I know I did!
If you love cats, then you should take your afternoon break at Pet&Tea Cat Cafe where you can get a drink and play with the cats!
Admire Igreja de Santa Cruz
The church in the city center of Coimbra could be the most beautiful in Coimbra. Located on the picturesque Praça 8 de Maio, this church is classified as a National Monument.
It is free to enter the church and observe the intricate Azulejos decorations.
However, if you want to see the cloister and the tombs of the Portuguese kings, you’ll have to pay a small entrance fee to access those areas.
See Manga Cloister Fountains
Just a short walk from the Santa Cruz church, you’ll see the Cloister of Manga. It is an elaborate fountain complex dating back to the 16th century when it was built as a monastery fountain.
Today, it is pained yellow, which I found quite unusual compared to the rest of the city’s architecture.
Enjoy a Fado show
Despite being a student city, Coimbra is pretty quiet at night compared to Lisbon and Porto – unless it’s the weekend.
So, one of the best things to do in Coimbra at night is to enjoy a Fado show!
You have two options, you can see a traditional Fado show at Casa Fado ao Centro or in one of Coimbra’s restaurants as you enjoy a meal.
Fado shows at Casa Fado ao Centro take place every day at 6 pm and are one of the most popular activities in Coimbra.
The setting is quite intimate, with an audience of about 50 people, so you can truly enjoy the performance.
Alternatively, if the 6 pm show time doesn’t work for you like it didn’t work for me, there are many restaurants and bars throughout the city with Fado nights.
You will still have to pay for the performance separately though!
I caught some of the Fado performances at Quebra o Galho restaurant next to my hostel.
DAY 2 Coimbra Itinerary: Day trip day!
On your second day in Coimbra, you can catch up on thighs from day 1 you missed or take a day trip in the region.
Coimbra is set in central Portugal, with unique mountainous landscapes to enjoy.
You can take many day trips from Coimbra, as the city is well-connected to the rest of the country.
However, since you only have two days in Coimbra, and you’re probably visiting other big cities on your trip, I selected these three as the best day trips to add to your short Coimbra itinerary.
These day trips are some of the best things to do in Coimbra and are quintessential to the culture and history of the region.
Day Trip to Roman Ruins in Conimbriga
You probably wouldn’t expect to visit Roman ruins so far away from Italy, but the Roman Empire was huge!
Just about 15km outside of Coimbra, you will find Conimbriga.
It is one of the largest Roman settlements outside of Italy and the largest one in Portugal. That makes it a great day trip spot for history lovers.
This incredible archaeological site is rich with beautifully preserved mosaic floors to admire. The first formal excavations at Conímbriga started only in 1873, and lots of the original Roman settlement is still uncovered.
Plan to spend a couple of hours in Conimbriga, for the ruins themselves and the excellent museum.
How to get to Conimbriga?
Roman ruins in Conimbirga are located about 20km outside Coimbra, making it a quick car journey.
Alternatively, two daily buses connect Coimbra and Conimbriga on weekdays. You can find the bus schedule on Transdev’s official website. Set Coimbra as the origin and Conimbraga as the destination, then press Pesquisar, and you’ll be directed to the plan.
If the bus schedule doesn’t work for you, consider joining a Conimbraga tour! This highly-rated tour includes hotel pick-up and all entry tickets.
🏺Check prices and availability of the Conimbraga Roman Ruins Tour here!
Day trip to Schist Villages at Lousa Mountain
Schist Villages are one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets! They are named after the special type of rock the houses in these villages were built with. Thanks to it, they blend in perfectly with the landscape.
These mountain villages date back to the 11th century, but most of them were deserted throughout the 20th century.
Luckily, in 2000 a program was initiated to revive the villages, and today you can visit 27 villages scattered throughout the Lousa Mountains.
Some of the most picturesque Schist villages are:
- Foz d’ Égua
- Talasnal
- Pena
How to get to Schist villages?
Schist villages are located about 30-50km from Coimbra, depending on the village.
Unfortunately, no bus route connects Coimbra to the villages. The best way to visit by public transport is by taking a bus to Lousã and then hiking to the closest village of Talasnal.
If you want to visit more than one village, consider joining a day tour from Coimbra to Schist Villages!
With a tour, you get to visit the most picturesque villages without worrying about transportation or driving on narrow mountain roads.
🏘️ Check rates and availability of Schist Villages at Lousa Mountain tour here!
Mondego River Kayaking Tour from Coimbra
If you’re looking for a more active way to spend your second day in Coimbra, look no further than the Mondego River Kayaking Tour!
Mondego River is one of Portugal’s most popular spots for river kayaking, and Coimbra is the perfect place to try it!
Joining a Mondego River Kayaking tour is a perfect way to enjoy nature and the lush green forests around Coimbra as you gently paddle along the river.
The Mondego Valley is perfect for kayaking, with clear and calm water, surrounded by birds and other animals to observe.
On this tour, you’ll also get a chance to learn more about the history of the city and the region from a knowledgeable guide who will make sure the trip goes according to the plan!
🛶Check availability and rates for the Mondego River Kayaking Tour here!
Best Time to Visit Coimbra
Most tourist activities in Coimbra are not weather-specific, so it is possible to visit any time of the year and have a good time.
The most popular time to visit Coimbra and Portugal is in the summer. That is when the city is the busiest, especially during the day with day trippers from Lisbon and Portugal.
If you want to enjoy Coimbra without crowds, consider traveling in the shoulder season, avoiding July and August.
A disadvantage of Europe in winter is always the unpredictable weather, and Coimbra is not an exception.
I visited Coimbra in November and had a great time! The weather was pleasant, you only needed a light jacket at night, and there were mostly just locals and students in the city.
Where to Stay in Coimbra
With only 2 days in Coimbra, you’ll want to stay in the center of the action, close to the historic center – Sé Velha.
The best place to stay in Coimbra:
- Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas – absolutely magnificent hotel, situated in a historic medieval palace featuring botanical gardens and a view over Coimbra
Mid-range options:
- Sophia Studios – charming, well-equipped studio in a great location
- Guest House Santa Clara – located on the opposite side of the river for an incredible view over Coimbra
Budget option:
- Change The World Hostel – I stayed here! It is a budget-friendly hostel in the heart of the historic center
How to get to Coimbra
Coimbra doesn’t have an international airport, so if you’re flying to Portugal, you’ll probably land in Lisbon or Porto.
Once you’re in Portugal, Coimbra is about 200km from Lisbon and about 120km from Porto.
Coimbra is very well connected by public transport to the rest of the country. You can easily reach it by bus or by train from virtually any town in Portugal.
When arriving by train, you’ll notice there is Coimbra and Coimbra B station.
Coimbra B station is about 2.5km from the city center. It is walkable, but if you get a train ticket to Coimbra B, you get a free transfer to Coimbra Center station included in your ticket!
Flixbus station is kind of in between, but closer to Coimbra B. If you want to take the train to the city center, you’ll have to pay for a ticket, as it is not included.
Getting Around Coimbra
Coimbra is a rather small and compact town, so the best way to get around is on foot.
If you want to go on day trips and discover more of the region, you can either rent a car or join a tour. However, a car is not a necessity in Coimbra for most travelers!
If you want to rent a car in Coimbra, I use this website to compare the prices of all rental companies in the city to make sure I get the best deal!
FAQs
Coimbra is a relatively compact town, so you can visit most tourist attractions in Coimbra in one day. However, if you want to explore more of the surrounding region, including the Roman ruins in Conimbriga or the unique mountain Schist Villages, plan to spend at least 2 days in Coimbra.
Yes, Coimbra is well worth visiting on your trip to Portugal! This charming, riverfront town is overlooked by most travelers making it almost a hidden gem. Coimbra is a city rich in culture and history, and it is worth visiting at least on a day trip if you don’t have more time on your itinerary.
Yes, Coimbra is worth a day trip from Lisbon or Porto, even if you don’t have time to spend a night in Coimbra. It takes about 2h one way to reach Coimbra from both cities. Many trains, buses, and tours are available daily if you don’t have a car.
Coimbra is walkable, with a compact hilltop historic Old town. Moreover, Coimbra is best explored on foot, as the historic center has narrow, winding, cobblestone streets to stroll and discover.
Most people you’ll interact with as a tourist speak very good English in Coimbra. Coimbra is a University town with more than 20000 students, so you won’t have any trouble finding somebody who speaks English!
Yes, Coimbra is a small University town, and it is very safe for solo female travelers. Generally, violent crimes are not common in Portugal, and it is one of the safest countries to visit in Europe.
Final Thoughts: 2 Days in Coimbra Itinerary
That concludes this 2 day in Coimbra itinerary!
With so many things to do in Coimbra, it is certainly worth a visit if you’re backpacking through Portugal.
This university city is full of culture and history, with a student population making it lively throughout the year. It is small and walkable, with many picturesque corners and day trip opportunities.
I really enjoyed my time in Coimbra, and it is well worth adding to your Portugal itinerary!
